Henby metcalpe



(Nd Model.)

i H. MBTCALFE.

WAGON. SPRING.

Y No. 345,162. Patented July 6, 1886.

` NITE *rares i ATENT Brien.

HENRY METCALFIL'OF PARIS, ONTARIO, CANADA.

WAGON-SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 345,162, dated July 6, 1886.

Application tiled April i?, 185,6. Serial No. 197,556. (No model.) Patented in Canada March 31, 1886, No. 23,702.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, HENRY METCALFE, of the town of Paris, in the county of Brant, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vagons, of which the following is a specilication.

The object of my invention is to design a simple device by which awagon may be readily changed from a dead to a spring Wagon, or vice versa, and be equally as serviceable as either.

Figure l is aperspective view showing one aXle, hound,and bolster provided with my improved mechanism. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail of the bracket to be attached to the axle. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of the bracket to be attached to the bolster, showing a portion of the bolster to which it is attached.

A is a bracket designed to rest upon the axle B and clasp the hound C. This bracket is formed with downwardly-projecting portions designed to embrace the sides of the hound, and formed with the cups a, and also with upwardly-proj cctin g j aws A', formed with strengthening-ribs a whereb O'uidcsforthe b D 7 y b holsters, which have heretofore been formed on or attached to the axle,are dispensed with. Four such brackets are provided for each wagon, and have cups a formed in them to receive the springs D.

b are cups similar tothe cups a,and formed in the plate E, one of which plates is placed over each bracket A, and attached to the bol. Ster F,which fits between the jawsof thebracket A, as shown. Slots d are made in thejaws A' of the bracket A to permit the bolt G to pass through. Vhen the springs D are inserted, as shown on the right-hand side of Fig. 1, the bolt G through each bracket A passes through the hole c, and seeurelyholds the bolster F in position between the jaws A of the bracket .A, thereby retaining the springs D in position,while the slots d permit the bolster F to move vertically, so that the full benefit from the elasticity of the springs is secured. Of course it will be understood that I have four setsof springs in the wagon-that is to say, two brackets A on each axle, with their respective springs and attachments.

In order to change the wagon from a' spring to a dead wagon, I simply remove the bolts G from the holes c and raise the bolster sufficiently to permit the withdrawal of the springs D, when each bolster will rest on the hound, or rather the bottom of the plate E will rest on the bottom of the jaws formed on the bracket A. The bolts G are then inserted into the holes f, formed in the bolster F, when the wagon will be an ordinary springless or dead wagon. From this itwill be seen that the change can be made Very rapidly, and the mechanism being so extremely simple any ordinary farmer can alter his wagon from a spring to a dead one.

It is well known that a spring-wagon is casier upon the horses and more agreeable to ride in, and is capable of carrying breakable stuff which could not be carried in a deadwagon. -At the same time, for carrying hay or grain fromY the fields, a dead-wagon is pre- `[erred by most farmers; lconsequently it is customary with those who can afford it to Akeep both spring-wagons and dead-wagons on hand.

By the adoption of my wagon a wagon which maybe termed a general-purpose wagon is secured, and the change from one kind to the other is so readily and rapidly done that there is practically no trouble involved in making. the change.

Vhat I claim asmy invention is- 1. The combination, with the bolster and the plate E, secured thereto, of the bracket A, secured to the axle, and formed with vertical jaws A', designed to embrace andV guide said bolster, and said plate formed to serve with said bracket, either with or without the springs D, substantially as described.

2. The eornbination,with the axle B andthe bracket A, secured thereto, and provided with cups a and jaws A, provided'withslots (l, of the bolster Fplate E, secured thereto, and provided with cups b, holes c fin said bolster, springs D, and removable bolts G, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. As an improved article ot' manufacture, the bracket A, comprising in a single element a base-plate to rest upon the hound, downwardly-projecting flanges to embrace the sides ICO of the same, and provided with cups a, and ing-ribs a', siibstantially as and for the purupwardly-extending jaws A', to receive and poses specified. guide the bolster, substantially as described. Paris, March 11, 18,86.

4. The bracket A eomplisiuf in a sirwle Y piece a. base-plate torest upon tle hound, aid HENRY METCALFE' downwardly-projecting flanges to embrace the l In presence or sides thereof, and formed with cups a, and up- R. BROGKBANK,

,wm'd1yeXtended jews A', having strengtheui G. W. PALMER. 

